We've just had terrible luck! United boss Ferguson hopes for change of fortunes at Stamford Bridge this time

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his team have suffered from 'terrible luck' in recent visits to Stamford Bridge.

United go to Chelsea on Sunday, buoyed by the events of Tuesday night, when a win over Stoke and defeat for rivals Manchester City at Everton left the Reds joint top of the Premier League table.

But despite some notable success over Chelsea, including beating them to the title last season and knocking the Blues out of the European Cup, Ferguson still recalls the last two league meetings in London.

Remember this? John Terry heads in the winner against United in 2009

In March last year, Ferguson felt David Luiz should have been sent off for a crude challenge on Wayne Rooney, after he was already booked.

And a late penalty winner from Frank
Lampard was strongly disputed, after it was awarded following a Chris
Smalling challenge on Yury Zhirkov. United's disappointing night was compounded when Nemanja Vidic was sent off late on.

Angry: Sir Alex Ferguson complains at Stamford Bridge in 2009

The season before saw another controversial affair, with a soft free-kick, given for a Darren Fletcher foul on Ashley Cole, leading to a John Terry winner.

Ferguson was furious that the goal was allowed to stand, insisting that Didier Drogba had fouled Wes Brown.

The Scot described the performance of referee Martin Atkinson after the game as 'absolutely ridiculous'.

Ferguson, who tends not to forget these things, said: 'Games at Chelsea in the last few
years have been tough and we’ve had terrible luck there which has caused
us disappointing results.'

United are approaching another
crucial month in their league campaign, with the Chelsea game swiftly
followed by a home match against Liverpool. And Tottenham await at White Hart
Lane for Ferguson's men in the first weekend of March.

Remember this? Nemanja Vidic is sent off at Chelsea last season

Ferguson, speaking in the latest issue of Inside United, added: 'We’ve done very well away from home this season and we need to be good from now on.

'We’ve got some really important away games in the run-in – Chelsea, Tottenham and City. They’re going to be crucial games.

'The players know what they need to do. They know their responsibilities and the standard and expectation at the club, and they have to carry those things with them when they go into games.'